The recent “first snow of the season” in Gobles was greeted by the usual mixed reactions of students and adults; some greeted the snow and others groaned, but for the Gobles High School SADD Chapter it was an opportunity to remind student drivers about the importance of making safe decisions when driving slick winter roads.

To make the point, the group is asking students to sign a pledge for safe driving, and will raffle off a new set of tires to one student who signs the pledge.

The safe winter driving campaign is called Snow Means Slow, and it emphasizes how driving conditions on area roads can change during the winter. According to SADD President, Gobles junior Taylor Litchfield, it’s part of the message SADD wants students to hear.

“SADD is dedicated to promoting safe decisions,” Litchfield said. “We know a lot of students drive to school and after school and on weekends, and we want to remind our fellow students to always be safe behind the wheel.”

According to Litchfield this is just one initiative that SADD supports. “We support National Bullying Month in October, and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month,” she said. “And in the spring we’re very active during prom and graduation season to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving. This safe winter driving program is new for us, and we’re really excited to offer it to students.”

Students can sign the Snow Means Slow safe-driving pledge before school or during lunch, and the set of four tires will be raffled off before the Christmas break begins on December 20. The tires will be available at Discount Tire on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo.